Driving attachment for dental articulators



. 1,488,335 w. M. GAMBILL DRIVING ATTACfiMENT FOR DENTAL ARTICULATORS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y INVENTOR. w M. Gambfll,

" A TTOPNEY.

March 25,1924. w. M. GAMBILL DRIVING ATTACHMENT FOR" DENTAL ARTICULATORS 5 Sheets-$heet 2 Filed Jan. 5 1924 42 44 nnnnnnnnnnnl l INVENTOR. W M. Gambill,

March 25, 1924; 1,488,335

w. M. GAMBILL muvme ATTACHMENT FOR DENTAL ARTI CULATORS Fi le d Jan. s, 1924 "s Sheet'-Sheet 5 LNVENTOR.

' W. Mlmmbill,

Patented Mar. 25, 1924.

iJNlTED STATES WILLIAM MILTON GAIv'IBILL, OF MERKEL, TEXAS.

DRIVING ATTACHMENT FOR DENTAL ARTICULATORS.

Application filed January 5, 1924. Serial No. 684,595.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM MILTON (JrAMmLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Merkel, in the county of Taylor and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driving Attachments for Dental Articulators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a driving attachment for dental articulators, more particularly to the well known .Gysi, Snow and Hall type of articulators, but it is to be understood that a driving attachment in accordance with this invention can be em- F ployed in connection with any type of dental articulators, or for any other purposes for which the attachment is found applicable, and the invention has for its objeet to provide a driving attachment, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, for synchronously operating a pair of dental articulators for producing the necessary grinding movements between two sets of artificial teeth as is common practice in dental work, and insure perfect articulation so that there will be a natural functioning of the two sets of teeth with relation to each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide a driving attachment, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, for dental articulators with means for producing all of the required relative movements between an upper and a lower articulator and further having provision for adjusting, regulating and varying the extent and direction of such movements, so that all necessary grinding movements between the upper and lower sets of teeth will thus be produced, and all irregularities of the teeth thereby removed, so as to insure the absolute conformity of the teeth of one set with the teeth of the other set.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a driving attachment for dental articulators, in a manner hereinafter referred to and for the purposes set forth, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, adjustable, readily installed with respect to a pair of articulators for driving them, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

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With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the S00 e of the claims hereunto appended.

n the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a perspective view of a driving attachment in accordance with this invention, showing the adaptation thereof in connection with upper and lower articulators.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the driving attachment.

igure 3 is a section on line 3-3, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bearing for the oscillatory support carrying the lower articulator.

Figure 5 is a grouped perspective view of the driving connection for the oscillatory support.

Figure (Sis a similar view of the-driving connection for the upper artioulator.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the resilient coupling element between the base of the driving attachment and the driving motor.

Figure 8 is a sectional detail.

Figure 9 is a sectional detail illustrating the controlling device for the lower articulator.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 denotes arectangular base plate provided with foot pieces or supports, each consisting of a stud 2, whichis secured to and depends from each corner of the base 1 and is provided below the base with a cap 3 of rubber or other suitable cushionin material. The base 1 may be constructed 0 any suitable material, preferably metal. 7

Secured upon the upper face of the base 1, in proximity to one corner thereof, as well as flush with one end of the base, is a standard 4, having its upper end formed'to provide a bearing 5. The standard 4 has its lower end formed of oppositely extending flanges 6, which are secured to the base 1, by hold-fast devices 7 Arranged upon the upper face of the base 1, in proximity to one side thereof and spaced a substantial distance from the standard 4, as well as positioned outwardly with respect to the standard 4, is a standard 8 having its upper end constructed to provide a bearing 9. The lower end of the standard 8 is formed with outwardly extending flanges 10, which are fixedly secured to the base 1 by hold-fast devices 11. The hearing 5, as well as the bearing 9, is apertured, as at 12, to permit of a lubricant being supplied to the interior of the bearing.

Fixedly secured to the base 1 and extending upwardly therethrough is a pivot bolt 13, having its upper portion threaded, as at 14. Mounted on the base 1 and having the pivot bolt 13 extending therethrough, as well as threadably engaging therewith, is a bearing element consisting of a circular disk 15, formed with a centrally disposed opening 16, through which the bolt 13 extends and engages with the threaded wall of said opening. The bolt 13 also extends through an opening 17 formed in the base 1, and has its lower end provided with a head 13, upon which is seated a disk washer 14. Arranged against the lower face of the base 1 is an inverted cup-shaped washer 15', formedof sheet metal, and interposed between the washers 14 and 15, as well as surrounding the bolt 13, is a coiled spring 26 for maintaining the disk 15 on the base 1.

Mounted upon the bearing element is the oscillatory support for the lower articulator 18 and which is secured by the retaining elements 19, 20 and 21 upon the upper face of said oscillatory support at the outer end thereof. Arranged over the articulator 18 and cooperating therewith is the upper articulator 22 which carries a depending stem 23, seating upon and traversing the bearing member 24 carried by the lower articulator 18, at the inner end thereof. The articulators 18 and 22 are of known construction and are illustrated by way of example so as to show the adaptation of a driving attachment in accordance with this invention, with respect to the articulators.

The oscillatory support for the articulator 18 consists of a triangular plate 25, formed intermediate its ends with the opening 1? for the passage of the pivot bolt 13. Engaging with the threaded portion of the bolt 13 is a wing nut 28 for increasing or decreasing the tension of the spring 26, and also for maintaining the plate 25 upon the disk 15 and is tensioned by the spring 26. The plate 25 oscillates about the bolt 13 on the disk 15. The inner portion of the plate 25, at a substantial distance from the bolt 13, is bent upwardly as at 29, and which inreassess clines inwardly with respect to the pivot bolt 13, and the bending upwardly of the plate 25 in the manner as stated, provides what may be termed an angular-1y disposed upstanding inner terminal portion. The free end of the bent portion 29 is apertured.

The plate 25, between the bent portion 29 and bolt 13, has its upper face formed with a vertically disposed apertured lug 30 to which the lower end 31 of a tensioning spring 32 is secured.

The driving attachment includes a combined coupling and supporting member for the upper articulator, and the said member consists of a flat angle-shaped bar consisting of an outer end portion 33, an intermediate portion 34 and an inner end portion 35. The portion 34 is disposed vertically where by the portion 33 and 35 are arranged in parallel planes. The portion 35 is of greater length than the portion 33 and is provided in proximity to the portion 34 with an opening 36, through which extends the stem 23. The inner portion of the articulator 22 is seated upon the portion 33 and is detachably connected therewith by a retaining device 37. The portion 35 has its free end connected to the end 31 of the spring 32 and the latter constitutes a tensioning means for the upper articulator. v

Journalled in the bearing 5 is a shaft 38 provided at its outer end with a head 39, which abuts against the outer end of the bearing 5. The shaft 38 projects inwardly from the bearing 5 and has keyed therewith, as at 40, the hub 41 of a gear wheel 42 of substantial diameter.

Journalled in the bearing 9 and projecting from each end thereof is a shaft 43, loosely carrying a pinion 44, which when clamped in position meshes with and drives the gear wheel 42. The shaft 43, at one end, has connected therewith a crank arm 45. FiXedly secured to the shaft 43 intermediate its ends, is a friction driven wheel 46 of substantial diameter. The other end of the shaft 43, is

screw threaded and engaging therewith is a clamping member 44 for the wheel 44. Mounted on the shaft 43 is a pair of shiftable sleeves 42, 43, between which is arranged the pinion 44. One of the sleeves abuts against the wheel 46 and the other is engaged by the member 44 and the latter when shifted towards the pinion 44 clamps the same with the wheel 46, so that the pinion 44 will be carried with the shaft 43 to drive the gear 42. V

The wheel 46 is driven through the medium of a friction pulley 47, carried by the V shaft 48 of a driving motor 49, and the base 1 is'connected with the motor 49 by a resilient coupling member which consists of a hook-shaped arm 50, having one end attached to a pulling spring 51, secured as at 52, with one of the flanges of the standard 4.

The arm encircles the bearing 48 of the motor shaft 48 and through the action of the spring 41 maintains the base 1 in proximity to the motor 49, so that the pulley 47 will engage and drive the friction wheel or disk 46. v

The oscillatory support for the lower articulator is driven from the gear wheel 42, and the transmission connection between the gear wheel 42 and said support consists of an adjustable rod formed of three sections 53, 54 and 55. The section 53 has a reduced angularly disposed outer end 56, has-sing the free terminal thereof form-ed of a spherical enlargement 57. The inner portion or" the section 53 is tubular and provided with interior threads. Th section has a reduced angularly disposed outer terminal portion 58, which has the terminus thereof formed of a spherical enlargement 59. The inner portion or" the section 55 is tubular and provided with interior threads. The section 54 consists of a cylindrical rod peripherally, threaded from end to end and is engaged by the threaded portions of the sections 53 and 55, whereby the sections 53, 54 and 55 are adjustably connected together.

Carried by the aperturec free end oi the bent portion 29 or the plate 25, is a threaded stem 60, having its inner end provided with a socket forming member 61 for the reception of the spherical end 59 or" the section 55. The end 59, in connection with the member 61, provides a universal joint con nection between the section 55 and the bent portion 29 of the plate 25. The stem 60 is secured to the plate 29 by a wing nut 62. Extending through the perimeter of the wheel 42, is screw threaded stem 63, provided at its inner end with a socket forming member 64, in which is mounted the spherical end 57 or" the section The iember 64, in connection with the end 57,

provides a universal joint connection between the section 53 and the wheel 42. The stem 63 is secured to the wheel 42 by a nut 65.

By connecting the plate 25 with the wheel 42, in the manner as stated, on the opera tion of the wheel 42 through the medium of the pinion 44, the transmission connection between the wheel 42 and plate 25 will provide for the oscillation of the latter, The csc'latory movement can be regulated by adjusting the sections 53, 54 and 55,

The upper articulator is oscillated through the medium of a transmission connection between the crank arm 45 and the portion 35 of the combined supporting and coupling member for the upper articulator, and includes an adjustable connecting bar formedoi the sections 66, 6'? and 68. The section 68 a reduced angularly-disposed on. r end 69, having the free terminus thereof formed oi a spherical enlargement 70.

The inner portion of the section 66 is tubular and provided with interior threads. The section 68 i as a reduced singularly disposed outer end 71, having the terminus thereof in the form of a spherical enlargement 72. The inner portion or the section 68 is tubular and provided with inte ior threads. The section 67 consists oi cylindrical rod provided at one end with peripheral threads 78, and its other with peripheral threads *(4. Fixed to the section 67, at the threaded portion 74, is a wing collar 75. The threads 78 or" the section 67 engage the threads of the section 66, the threads 74 of the section 67 engage the threads of the section 66. The wii collar 7 5 provides for rotating the section 67 for the purpose of adjusting the sections 66 a d 68 relative to the section 67.

Fixedly secured to the crank arm a socket forming member 76, in which is mounted the spherical enl, rgement 70, whereby a universal joint connection is set up between the section 66 and the crank arm 45.

Extending through the portion 35 of the combined supporting and coupling member for the upper articulatory is a vertically disposed threaded stem 77 having its lower end provided with a socket forming member 78, in which is mounted the spherical enlargement 72 of the section 68, and by this arrangement a universal joint connection is set up between the section 68 and con bined coupling and supporting member for the upper articulator.

By setting up a transmission connection. between the crank arm 45 and the combined supporting and coupling member for the upper articulator, in' the manner as stated, an oscillatory movement is imparted to the articulator 22 when the shaft 43 is driven by the engagement of the pulley 47 with the wheel or disk 46.

The oscillatory movement of the articulator 22 is controlled due to the adjustment of the transmission connection between Such articulator and the shaft 43.

The shaft 43 not only provides means for oscillating the articulator 22, but further constitutes means to provide for the oscillation of the articulator 18, in viewof the driving connection between the gear wheel 42 and the shaft 43.

The driving attachment for the articulators is so set up with respect thereto as to provide for the operation oi"- the articulators in opposite directions relatively to each other, so as to set a grinding action, but when the pinion is disconnected from the wheel 42, by loosening the clamping sleeves 42, 43, the operator is enabled to grind teeth at any point he wishes to as long as he desires by sliding plate'25 to the desired position.

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tors as hereinbeioro described and illustrated, can be readily u lei-stood, and al- 1 the inthough the prei'errco embodiment of vention is as illu ed and cescribed, yetchanges in the dc? s 0'" construction can be had which. will all within the scope of ie invention as claimed.

What I claim is 1. it driving attachment for dental artic-' ulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower articulator,

an oscn bined supporting and coupling an upper articulator, a common drivii element, an adjustable transmission having a universal joint connection between said element and said member, anl an adjustable transmission having a unit o.sal joint connection with said element and said support.

2. A driving attachment "or dental artioulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower a-rticulator, an oscillatory combined supporting and coupling member ior an upper articulator, a common driving element, an adjustable transmission having universal joint connection between said element and said member, and an adjustable transmission having a universal joint connection with said element and said support, tensioning means for said member and tensioning means for said support.

3. A driving attachment for dental articulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower articulator, an oscillatory combined supporting and coupling member for an upper articulator, a. common driving ele ment, an adjustable transmission having a. universal joint connection between said element and said member, an adjustable transmission having a universal joint connection with said element and said support, tensioning means for said men'lber and tensioning means for said support, and a bearing element upon which said support is seated.

4:. A driving attachment for dental articulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower articulator, said support having an upturned inner end, an oscillatory combined supporting and coupling member for an upper articular-tor, a transmission leading from said upturned end and having a universal joint connection therewith, av transmission leading from the inner end or" said member and having a universal joint connection therewith, a frictionally driven element reassess common to said transmission for operating them, and said transmission having universal joint connections with said element.

5. A driving attachment for dental articulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower articulator, said support having an upturned inner end, an oscillatory combined supporting and coupling member for an upper articulator, a transmission leading from said upturned end and having a universal joint connection therewith, a transmission leading from the inner end of said member and having a universal joint connection therewith, a. irictionally driven element con'imon to said transmission for opcrating the 1, said transmissions having universal joint connections with said element, tensioning means for said member, and tensioning means for said support.

driving attachment for dental articulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower articulator, said support having an upturned inner end, an oscillatory combined supporting and coupling member for an upper articulator, a transmission leading from said upturned end and having a universal joint connection therewith, a transin ion leading from the'inner end of said member and having a universal joint connection therewith, a frictionally driven element common to said transmissions for operating them, said transmisisons having universal joint connections with said elemerit, tensioning means for said member, tensioning means for said support, and a bearing upon which said support is seated;

7. A. driving attachment for dental articulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower articulator, an. oscillatory combined supporting and coupling member for an upper articulator and arranged in superposed relation with respect to said support, aresilient element connecting said member to said support, a. lengthwise adjustable transmission leading from said member and having a universal joint connection therewith, a lengthwise adjustable transmission leading from said support and having a universal joint connection therewith, a driven shaft a universal joint connection between said shaft and the transmission leading from said member, a driven element operated from said shaft, and a universal joint connection between said driven element and the transn'iission leading from said support.

8. A driving attachment for dental articulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower articulator, an oscillatory combined supporting and coupling member for an upper a-rticulator and arranged in superposed relation with respect to said support, a resilient element connecting said member to said support, a lengthwise adjustable transmission leading rem s2 id member and having a universal oint connection therewith, a lengthwise adjustable transmission leading from said support and having a universal joint connection therewith, a driven shaft, a universal joint connection between said shaft and the transmission leading "from said member, a driven element operated from said shaft, a universal joint connection between said driven element and the transmission leading from said support, and a tension applying means for said support.

9. A. driving attachment for dental articulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower articulator, an oscillatory combined supportin and coupling member for an upper articulator, a common driving element, an adjustable transmission having a universal joint connection between said element and said member, and an adjustable transmission having a universal joint connection with said element and said support, and means for discontinuing the oscillation of the support during the oscillation of said member.

10. A driving attachment for dental articulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower articulator, an oscillatory combined supporting and coupling member for an upper articulator, a common driving element, an adjustable transmission havinga universal joint connection between said element and said member, and an adjustable transmission having a universal joint connection with said element and said support, tensioning means for said member and tensioning means for said support, and means for discontinuing the oscillation of the support during the oscillation of said member.

11. A driving attachment for dental articulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower articulator, an oscillatory combined supporting and coupling member for an upper articulator, a common driving element, an adjustable transmission having a universal joint connection between said element and said member, an adjustable transmission having a universal joint connection with said element and said support, tensioning means for said member and tensioning means for said support, a bearing element upon which said support is seated, and means for discontinuing the oscillation of the support during the oscillation of said member.

12. A driving attachment for dental articulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower articulator, said support having an upturned inner end, an oscillatory combined supporting and coupling member for anupper articulator. a transmission leading from said upturned end and having a universal joint connection therewith, a transmission leading from the inner end of said member and having a universal joint connection therewith, a frictionally driven element common to said transmis sion tor operating them, and said transmissions having universal joint connections with said element, and means for discontinuing the oscillation or" the support during the oscillation of said member.

13. A. driving attachment for dental articulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower articulator, an oscillatory combined supporting and coupling member for an upper articulator, a driving element common to and operatively connected with said member and support, and means for discontinuing the operation of the support during the operation of said member.

14. A driving attachment for dental articulators comprising oscillatory support for a lower articulator, an oscillatory combined supporting and coupling member for an upper articulator, a driving element common to and operatively connected with said member and support, and means for discontinuing the operation of the support during the operation of said member, tensioning means for said member, and adjustable tensioning means for said support.

15. A driving attachment for dental articulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower articulator, an oscillatory cornbined supporting and coupling member for an upper articulator and arranged in superposed relation with respect to said support, a resilient element connecting said member to said support, a lengthwise adjustable transmission leading from said member and having a universal joint connection therewith, a lengthwise adjustable transmission leading from said support and having a universal joint connection therewith, a driven shaft, a universal joint connection between said shaft and the transmission leading from said member, a driven element operated from said shaft, universal joint connection between said driven element and the transmission leading from said support, a tension applying means" for said support, and a bearing upon which is seated said support.

16. A driving attachment for dental articulators comprising an oscillatory support for a lower articulator, an oscillatory combined supporting and coupling memher for an upper articulator and arranged in superposed relation with respect to said support, a resilient element connecting said member to said support, a lengthwise adjustable transmission leading from said member and having a universal joint connection therewith, a lengthwise adjustable transmission leading from said support and having a universal joint connection therewith, a driven shaft, a universal joint conneotion between said shaft and the transmission leading from said member, a driven element operated from said shaft, a universal joint connection between said driven element and the transmission leading from said support, a tension applying means for said support, a bearing upon which 1s seated said support, a base upon which is mounted said bearing, supporting means carried by 1 the base for said shaft and driven element, and a spring controlled coupling member for the base.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto. 7

WILLIAM MILTON GAMBILL. 

